greg
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Post by greg on Jul 15, 2018 14:02:56 GMT -5
Well they announced the dates for next year's event, and it's now a three day affair.
Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia (Three Day Event) - April 26-28, 2019
This is during prime spawning time on SML. I'm definitely not a fan of this event, and think it has to have an impact on the fishery.
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Post by flintster55 on Jul 16, 2018 8:39:24 GMT -5
My blood started to boil too when I got the text announcing the dates last week. I agree it has to impact the fishery. Nothing like 500 boats bed fishing for 3 days straight
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johnr
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Posts: 1,297
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Post by johnr on Jul 16, 2018 9:20:55 GMT -5
They should have it during the first two weeks in March. The big girls are up shallow then, but they’re up to eat. And they’ll eat anything it seems.
But bed fishing is like the national pastime of bass angling. 🤷🏽♂️
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Post by flintster55 on Jul 16, 2018 10:05:22 GMT -5
I would love to see it held in March, but it really seems like they aim for the spawn and move up the east coast as it gets warmer throughout the spring. Fingers crossed for an abnormally cold March and April
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Post by mwardncsu on Jul 16, 2018 13:28:56 GMT -5
Glad we picked the 13th for the Striper Mafia April event. I don’t think anyone running those big bass tour events really cares about the fishery as much as the draw of folks..... unfortunate.
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Post by 31Airborne on Jul 17, 2018 15:02:56 GMT -5
I think organizers of such events would win a lot of cool points by using a MLF type weighing approach. Weigh your big fish using a certified scale, release it where you caught it. Maybe take a pic using your phone as additional evidence of the catch.
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johnr
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Post by johnr on Jul 17, 2018 16:54:10 GMT -5
Not to mention they’d open the field to folks who don’t or can’t have a great tournament grade livewell setup.
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Post by mwardncsu on Jul 28, 2018 21:47:44 GMT -5
but then they cannot do the whole hoist the fish up into the air on stage thing......  |
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Post by chief803 on Jul 29, 2018 6:30:25 GMT -5
Jersey and New York stopped bed fishing during the spawn years ago. They still allowed tournaments but it was like your striper tournaments and it did make a big difference in the quality of fishing and fish.
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Post by greywalls on Jan 12, 2019 18:46:55 GMT -5
I hit up the promoter on BBC about this issue, now that the tournament marketing has begun. I'll be interested to hear the responses... Tournaments bring alotta value to SML, but this one's timing is just FUBAR and irresponsible (hopefully, not intentionally so, but who knows).
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Post by bigbasstour on Apr 16, 2019 18:43:54 GMT -5
We sure do appreciate the passion for SML and the feedback here.
To provide some insight/context for those who've posted questions or comments here:
1. We've visited SML for 9 years now and have varied the schedule over a 3-4 week window each year based on a number of factors. We have other events in our schedule and other events that we attempt to avoid throughout the year regardless of the fishery. So we try to be as flexible as possible with other tournament directors. We aren't targeting spawning fish and I think most of you here understand that there's a number of factors that impact the actual spawn and for most of our visits to SML there's been very little sight fishing going on due to weather, water temps and overall timing. To think that our anglers show up and simply pick fish off of beds the entire time during an event is ridiculous and without merit or any basis in facts.
2. Based on our "big bass" format, we limit the number of fish allowed in livewells and we actually see less fish at the scales than a 150 boat stringer event that visits the lake. The facts are simple math and we share numbers of fish caught and the weights with everyone. It's easy data to find and therefore easy to educate yourself regarding the number of fish we handle.
3. Our fish care is a top priority and always has been, regardless of what fishery we visit. We appreciate the resource and manage our events accordingly.
4. Lastly and most importantly our data collected from SML since 2011 shows that the fishery is in outstanding shape and the overall bass population is strong. Anyone trying to sell you otherwise is simply not providing factual data. Our event is the largest on the lake so that comes with the downside of misdirected/misguided comments and negativity but the simple facts are, we are one event a year with minimal impact and footprint on this fishery in the one weekend a year we visit the lake.
We love SML and all of the people and the businesses we've met and get to work with each year and appreciate everyone who fishes with us each year.
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penhook
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R.I.P. we love you pepaw
Posts: 463
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Post by penhook on Apr 17, 2019 7:36:51 GMT -5
that many boats and that many bass being pulled off beds at one time cant help the lake that is for sure, my dad works at a local lake and they dont allow tournaments durring the spawning time.
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Post by ohiobasser on Apr 17, 2019 23:52:55 GMT -5
The college open tournament and the High School open tournaments are also that weekend (Fri. 26 and Sat. 27) on SML out of Parkway Marina. This year's Bass Spawn is going to be a disaster. In response to the guy who said anglers are not going to be picking fish off beds, who are you trying to fool? I fish tournaments and although I don't like having tournaments while bass are on spawning beds, that is what it takes to win during the spawn.
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Post by bigbasstour on Apr 18, 2019 7:54:24 GMT -5
The college open tournament and the High School open tournaments are also that weekend (Fri. 26 and Sat. 27) on SML out of Parkway Marina. This year's Bass Spawn is going to be a disaster. In response to the guy who said anglers are not going to be picking fish off beds, who are you trying to fool? I fish tournaments and although I don't like having tournaments while bass are on spawning beds, that is what it takes to win during the spawn. Did you read any of our previous response? Secondly, do you think the spawn is an event that happens over one day or one weekend? How exactly is it going to make "this year's bass spawn a disaster?" Can you share with us any facts on how this is going to have a major impact on anything? |
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penhook
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R.I.P. we love you pepaw
Posts: 463
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Post by penhook on Apr 18, 2019 8:13:06 GMT -5
The college open tournament and the High School open tournaments are also that weekend (Fri. 26 and Sat. 27) on SML out of Parkway Marina. This year's Bass Spawn is going to be a disaster. In response to the guy who said anglers are not going to be picking fish off beds, who are you trying to fool? I fish tournaments and although I don't like having tournaments while bass are on spawning beds, that is what it takes to win during the spawn. Did you read any of our previous response? Secondly, do you think the spawn is an event that happens over one day or one weekend? How exactly is it going to make "this year's bass spawn a disaster?" Can you share with us any facts on how this is going to have a major impact on anything? with that many boats there is no possible way it could be good for the bass and their spawn, just think about how many people will be pulling bass off beds and not taking them back, I love fishing the spawn but that is ridiculous!!! I am definitely not a fan of these dates. |
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